Fire at night kills 4 in Đồng Nai

ĐỒNG NAI – Four members of a family including two children died in a fire early this morning in the southern province of Đồng Nai.

The tragedy occurred in Tân Biên Ward, Biên Hoà City.

Witnesses said the fire started at around 2.30am when an explosion was heard in the house of 59-year-old Đoàn Thị Liên. The house was also the location of the Hiệp Anh Nhất Trade and Service Company Ltd, which reportedly traded in refrigeration products. Many washing machines, fridges and air-conditioners are said to have been stored in the property.

With buildings densely packing the area, the house had just one exit, it is reported.

When the fire broke out, there were six people inside: Liên, her son, daughter in law and three children. The son and one of the children escaped via the roof top, but the others perished in the fire.

Neighbours said they tried in vain to help.

“When we ran towards the explosion, we saw her house engulfed in flames,” a witness said.

“We tried to break open the door to rescue the people inside but failed,” he added.

The city’s fire police arrived at the scene immediately and the fire was extinguished after two hours.

The house was completely destroyed in the fire. So far, the cause of the fire is unclear. — VNS